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Threats

Fortunately, the region is a place where people continue to benefit from relatively healthy natural communities. However, the effects of three centuries of European settlement have had severe adverse consequences on local ecosystems. The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources has estimated that over 35% of Vermont's wetlands have been lost and that 1200 river miles do not fully support designated uses or are not in compliance with water quality standards. About 2000 dams exist in Vermont that have had significant long term impacts on fish passage and water quality.

Agricultural, transportation and residential development continue to adversely affect Federal trust fish and wildlife resources dependent on good water quality and available habitat. Of particular note, in the Lake Champlain Basin, phosphorus loading to lake has increased four-fold over the original pre-development levels. Current threats include excessive bank erosion and siltation, loss of natural communities, incremental loss of wetlands, and excessive nutrient inputs, high summer water temperatures, and low oxygen conditions in some river systems.

Dams and other barriers to passage continue to adversely affect fish populations. Based on historical records, salmon (up to 20 pounds) walleye, and lake sturgeon were once caught in abundance in Lake Champlain and sea-run Atlantic salmon were common in the Connecticut River system. While a significant open-water fishery for salmon has since been established in Lake Champlain, sea-run salmon have been slow to return in significant numbers to the Connecticut River watershed. In both cases, full restoration is still only a goal.

Severe riverbank and channel instability on the Trout River

Wetland infested with purple loosestrife

Relatively recent introductions of invasive plants, e.g. purple loosestrife, water chestnut, have caused significant impairment to wetlands and other natural communities.